Science students participate in environmental study 

Oct. 29, 2009—Equipped with nets, testing equipment and waterproof clothing, Duanesburg high school students waded into the Schoharie River on a beautiful fall day in October.

As part of the seventh annual “Snapshot Day,” sponsored by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), environmental science students engaged in hands-on research on the physical and chemical parameters of the river.

Specifically, students investigated the temperature and ph-levels of the water and the concentration of key chemical components, such as dissolved oxygen, nitrate, orthophosphate and turbidity.

"It's always wonderful when students have a chance to get hands-on experience outside of the classroom," said Marcy McKinley, the science teacher who facilitated the trip. "In this case they participated in a project with many other community groups and they will be able to compare their data to that collected by last year's class."

School board member and Schoharie River Center's Director of Education and Outreach Programs John McKeeby and environmental chemist Joan Flester were also on-site. They providing access to testing equipment, shared their expertise and described potential career paths in the environmental industry.

The event was originally designed to celebrate the Hudson River Estuary, as well as educate participants on the uniqueness of the estuary as part of National Estuaries Week.